Which Way Is Up? (1977)

20% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(2,059 ratings)

This Americanized remake of Lina Wertmuller's The Seduction of Mimi offered audiences the novelty of seeing Richard Pryor performing three different roles in the same film. Which Way Is Up? tells the tale of Leroy Jones (Pryor), a poor orange picker who gets fired from his job when he accidentally… More This Americanized remake of Lina Wertmuller's The Seduction of Mimi offered audiences the novelty of seeing Richard Pryor performing three different roles in the same film. Which Way Is Up? tells the tale of Leroy Jones (Pryor), a poor orange picker who gets fired from his job when he accidentally joins a worker's union during a demonstration. He is forced to travel to Los Angeles and abandon his family, which includes his wife, Annie Mae (Margaret Avery), and his perpetually randy father, Rufus (also Pryor). While there, he falls in love with labor organizer Vanetta (Lonette McKee), but is soon rehired by his former employers when they realize he is easily manipulated. Back home, Leroy discovers his new managerial role alienates him from his former friends as he tries to divide his time between Annie Mae and Vanetta. When he discovers Annie Mae has been impregnated by the Reverend Lennox Thomas (Pryor's 3rd role) during his absence, Leroy sets his sights on seducing Lennox's wife. The resulting film had ambition to spare, but was generally panned as an inferior remake by the critics and failed to find a mass audience. However, Which Way Is Up? gained a second lease on life via cable and home video and has become a cult favorite with Pryor's fans. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Michael Schultz
Written By: Lina Wertmüller, Carl Gottlieb, Cecil M. Brown
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Nov 1, 1977 Wide
On DVD: May 21, 2002
Studio: Universal Pictures

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Clunky 1977 Richard Pryor comedy really looks dated now.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Pryor should have stuck with concert films.
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit
Should have stayed in the vault.
Kevin N. Laforest, Apollo Guide
As unfunny as it gets. Worse, it's misogynist and an embarrassment to the race.
Scott Weinberg, DVD Clinic
Hardcore Pryor fans may disagree, but very little about Which Way Is Up? is all that compelling, and it's very rarely funny.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
An embarrassing Being There conceit married to blaxploitation and unionization.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Tired

Read all 7 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie is hilarious, and the story outrageous, I really liked it, Pryor plays a bunch of characters which makes it even funnier.
Mister C

Hilarious as hell. A Richard Pryor classic mention to be seen.

Cast

            Richard Pryor as Leroy Jones

            Lonette McKee as Vanetta

            Margaret Avery as Annie Mae

            Morgan Woodward as Mr. Mann

            Marilyn Coleman as Sister Sarah

            Bebe Drake as Thelma

            Gloria Edwards as Janelle

            Ernesto Hernandez as Reyes Boy

            Diane Rodrigues as Estrella

            Daniel Valdez as Chuy Estrada

            DeWayne Jessie as Sugar

            Morgan Roberts as Henry

            Dolph Sweet as The Boss

            Luis Valdez as Ramon Juarez

            Pat Ast as Hooker

            Marc Alaimo as Frankie

            Victor Argo as Angel

            Kathy Cronkite
            
            Ron Cummins as Photographer

            Evelyn Dutton as Receptionist

            Carmen Filpi as Wino

            Terrence Locke as Assassin

            Ted Markland
            
            Ralph Montgomery
            
            Harry Northrup as Chief Goon

            Korla Pandit as Hindu

            Clifford A. Pellow as White Boss

            Hank Robinson
            
            Spo-De-Odee as Cripple

            Bob Terhune as Goon

            Tim Thomerson as Tour Guide

            Joe Turkel as Harry

            Hank Worden as Flunky

            Paul Mooney as Inspector

            George More O'Ferrall as Reporter

            Tanya Lynne Lee as Althea

            Eddie Smith as Men at Picnic

            Angela Wilson as Dawn

            Louise Johnson
            
            Blair Burrows
            
            Otis Day
            
See full cast